Personally speaking, I love the idea of 'cafe church', where people gather in a coffee shop to talk about God and the 'spiritual' side of life (for want of a better term).
One of the aspects of my former job that I really miss is having the opportunity to talk about God to people who don't go to church. I used to go out to lunch with people and, very often, they would turn the conversation to God. Why did I believe in God? Why was I a Christian? Often times people would tell me their thoughts on God. I loved these conversations; they were a lot more real than many we have in church.
So I was quite keen on the idea of cafe church. Some colleagues (both older than I) mentioned the idea when I moved here and I recently saw some information on the internet about forming a 'cafe-church' and forwarded it on to one of my colleagues. I've come to find out that they have been to a training session on cafe church, so I made it known that I am interested. No, I can't get involved, because I'm too old. They aren't going to be 'targetting' churchgoers and they aren't going to be 'targetting' middle-aged people. So-and-so (in her early 30s) is the sort of person who they want involved, not me.
So, darn. Fifty years olds are too old to talk about God in a coffee shop. And in church we're the young whipper-snappers.
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11 comments:
It would be hard for me to take no for an answer. And I'm 55.
Shouldn't church -- even "cafe church" -- be about (among other things) bringing people together despite our differences, including generational differences? What is this group's justification for focusing on a specific demographic?
Pam, that is sad.
Yes I find that sad. Exclusion lives on!
I'm glad it's not just me who thinks that there is something not quite right about this approach.
I was having second thoughts last night about removing this post, but I might leave it up for awhile.
'You're as old as you feel' is a frequent saying - and this applies to cafe church. I am an octogenarian and I am constantly amazed at the invitations i receive from younger people, whether in their 20s or their
50s! One day recently, I was invited out to tea like this (for 5.30pm) and I wasn't allowed to come home until 11.30pm! What's more, these two are pestering me for another such meal out because it was so good!
If you've got the skills and experience, get in there girl.
Sod 'em!
I cheered out loud when I read this entry in your blog- I really did!
There is another blog that I am always looking at even though it really irritates me. It's about an emerging church in my home town. It's quite clear that at 41 I am too old and too long a christian to join it. On reading the latest entry on that one I was almost sick in a bucket! I wish I could cut and paste it here but I better not!
I am part of a church that is much older than me, but with my heart filled with God I feel strongly that I love the people I serve and I serve the people I love because they are there.
Have only just seen this blog and I am worried about the thought that cafe style church should be aimed at a particular group. We have done cafe style worship twice at our church where the congregation are mainly in the over 60 age group and yet they have enjoyed it thoroughly - I do worry about age limits in eitherdirection - there are many people in their 50's who love the newer worship songs as well as the older hymns so give us a chance.
Ian - I think I miscommunicated. Perhaps 'cafe church' isn't a good description.
It's about going into a commerical coffee shop during the evening and having discussions about Christianity. We have one commercial coffee shop in this town. They already do speed-dating evenings and they themselves suggested a church activity! They normally close at about 6:00 pm (I think) but they think it could be worth their while to open for us, as long as they sell enough coffee and cake, I suspect!
But yes, it is being targetted at a specific age group and I don't qualify!
Well Pam if you don't fit the age bracket I certainly wouldn't!!
A number of years ago there used to be a Christian Bookshop in Burton on Trent that had a cafe in it and I think it was always a place where prayer and conversation on Christian matters took place. I am fairly certain that it was a case there of whosoever will may come.
There is also a cafe in Skegness called 'His Place' where they have praise mornings three times a week and there is a prayer room above and people on hand to talk about Christian things - always seems to be fairly busy.
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